Howland's future at UCLA in doubt after 83-63 rout

UCLA coach Ben Howland talks to his players during the second half of a second-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 22, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Minnesota won 83-63. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
— AP

UCLA coach Ben Howland talks to his players during the second half of a second-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday, March 22, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Minnesota won 83-63. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

Austin Hollins scored 11 in the first half and his third 3-pointer pushed the Gophers to a 33-19 lead. UCLA pulled to 35-25 by halftime.

Muhammad got more involved in the second with seven quick points and UCLA pulled within five when Norman Powell made a 3-pointer. The Gophers responded with consecutive 3-pointers from Andre Hollins from opposite corners to push the lead back to 11.

Every time UCLA made a move, the Gophers found a way to push the Bruins back and were never really in danger of losing the lead. UCLA's last threat came when Muhammad scored four consecutive points, including a fast-break dunk that cut the lead to eight with about nine minutes to play.

The Gophers responded with a 16-5 run - punctuated by Andre Hollins' fourth 3-pointer - to make it 73-54.

"We were obviously short-handed," Howland said. "You could see that our guys wore down physically."